The GWS Giants have elevated stars Toby Greene and Josh Kelly alongside Stephen Coniglio as co-captains at the AFL club.

Greene and Kelly will be the club’s fifth and sixth permanent captains in the club’s history, following in the footsteps of Luke Power, Callan Ward, Phil Davis and Coniglio.

The three will be supported by five other players in the club’s leadership group, including 2020 All-Australian Nick Haynes for the first time.

Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Lachie Whitfield and Jacob Hopper will all continue their leadership roles.

Coniglio has endured a frustrating two seasons after taking on the captaincy role by himself, shortly after signing a bumper seven-year deal to stay with the Giants at the end of 2019.

The midfielder fell out-of-favour at the end of 2020, even becoming the first captain to be dropped in 22 years.

His struggles were laid bare in the Amazon documentary, Making Their Mark, as Coniglio was shown having tough conversations with Giants coach Leon Cameron.

Coniglio was limited to just seven games this season, including GWS’ two finals, because of foot, toe and ankle injuries.

He said it was a thrill to be endorsed as captain once again.

“It’s an incredible honour to continue to lead this group,” he said.

“I’ve learned so much in the role over the past two seasons and it’s a privilege to have Toby and Josh join me as captains moving forward.

“We all have different strengths and bring different qualities to the job, but we’re all united in our drive and belief in this group to achieve the ultimate success.”

Rather than relegate the 27-year-old, GWS have promoted Greene and Kelly, who have also signed long-term contracts to stay in western Sydney.

Controversial Greene the leader

Greene has been heavily criticised throughout his career for poor discipline on the field, racking up 22 charges, six suspensions and $30k fines throughout his 176 games at the Giants.

He will miss for the first five games of next season after being suspended for making contact with umpire Matt Stevic in GWS’ thrilling elimination final win against the Sydney Swans.

After Greene initially copped a three-game ban, the AFL appeals board doubled the suspension.

The electric playmaker’s first appearance in 2022 will be a Friday night clash with St Kilda at Manuka Oval.

Despite his long rap sheet, Greene was made captain in Coniglio’s absence last year and did a terrific job in the role.

Greene said he is incredibly proud to be made captain at the club he’s called home for 10 years.

“This club has been my home since I was 18 and to be given the honour of leading the GIANTS as co-captain is huge,” he said.

“Leadership was not necessarily something I aspired to early in my career, but I’ve grown on and off the field so much over the past decade.

“I still have plenty of learning to do but I’m excited to do that alongside two of my closest mates in Stephen and Josh and do everything I can to contribute to our club’s future.”

Kelly – who committed to the club for eight more years in 2021 – won his second Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2021 after being named an All Australian in 2017.

Kelly called himself a Giants for life and was looking forward to continue taking the club forward.

“It’s a wonderful privilege to be recognised by my teammates and the staff as someone to help take the club forward,” he said.

“I’m a Giant for life and my commitment to the club was always around helping us reach the ultimate success for the first time.

“I’m really excited about what we can achieve on and off the field in 2022.”

McCartney congratulates leadership group

Giants General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, congratulated the group on their appointments as leaders.

“We’re really excited to have Stephen, Toby and Josh lead us into the 2022 season and beyond,” McCartney said.

“The decision was made in line with extensive feedback from the players and staff with all three clear standouts.

“We feel this is a really strong model for us moving into the future with three impressive leaders and performers who complement each other’s skills on and off the field.

“We’re also excited to have a leadership group with a variety of skills, experience and attributes to support Stephen, Toby and Josh.

“We welcome Nick to the group for the first time after he’s been informally involved in our leadership program over the recent years.”

GWS will open their season on 19 March, hosting the Swans at Accor Stadium. The Giants will play four matches played in Canberra next season.

Co-captains: Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Josh Kelly

Leadership group: Phil Davis, Matt de Boer, Lachie Whitfield, Jacob Hopper, Nick Haynes

With AAP